Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Jacob Keltner was shot and killed as he and other members of the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force attempted to serve an arrest warrant in Rockford, Illinois.
The task force located the subject at a hotel at 747 North Bell School Road. They were attempting to arrest the man at 9:15 a.m. when he opened fire with a rifle, striking a woman who was staying with him. The man then exited the room and opened fire on officers who were outside, striking Officer Keltner.
The man then fled from the hotel and led officers on a pursuit that lasted over 150 miles. The vehicle became disabled on I-55 near Lincoln, and the subject was taken into custody after barricading himself inside of it for several hours.
Deputy Keltner was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds approximately six hours after being shot.
The subject was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 55 years.
Deputy Keltner had served with the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office for 13 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two young children, his father and brother, who both work in DuPage County law enforcement, and other family members.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-8A792842- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Keltner gave the McHenry County Sheriff's Office 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Woodstock community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Keltner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Jacob Howard Keltner is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At McHenry County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jacob Howard Keltner's cause is highlighted.
How Jacob Howard Keltner Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jacob Howard Keltner is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jacob Howard Keltner was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from McHenry County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
